Category: Sol Summary

Mission Status: No incidents to report today, except that our crew biologist was kind of trippy today in the EVA session. She had to many pancakes.

Sol Activity Summary: Or is this just fantasy? Today we met with Survivorman, also known as Les Stroud. A pretty calm guy with really interesting experiences around the world. Both he and the cameramen were great and we had a great time. But first, let’s explain how our day started: It was just a normal day… expecting the arrival of Survivorman, but a normal day none-the less. We asked again about the pancakes and all those things that became inside jokes around the crew. And then we realized: Man, this will be our last night in MDRS, right? The thought is kind of frightening… specially for me, because I need to do an exposition in my University about some paper I haven’t even read. I would like to stay in MDRS at least a little bit longer. The bacterias I cultivated here have so many different shapes and colors, it is quite exciting for me as a wanna-be microbiologist.

After the philosophical moment, Survivorman arrived! Fortunately, we planned an EVA today, one where yours truly participated. We went to the Lith canyon. The new ATVs were great, but the trekking there got tiring after a while. We were so tired that some crewmembers here made some associations with Igor the donkey of Winnie the Pooh (Get it? There’s a place called after Pooh, so we think about Winnie the Pooh characters… ok, maybe that’s another inside joke). The cameramen started filming us, and I must say they got nice shots. That Lith Canyon place is absolutely beautiful and so interesting. It had so much geological material and the plants there were thrilling! I will always be amazed by how life still goes on even in such places as deserts.

We arrived to the hab with the filmcrew and decided to take some lunch. But, before that, we decided to do what we were expecting since day one: Eating the russian space food that they sent so gently to us. We were waiting for Survivorman to make this even more epic. And there we were, holding our toothpaste-like tubes to our mouths, tasting the meat and the apple pure. I must say that I liked both, but some of the guys just couldn’t get around with the new flavour. Anyways, it was quite a shocking experience.

After a nice lunch at the hab, we finally got some rest. I had to do some work at the lab, but the guys stayed here to help bring in the new food for the next crew.

I still can’t believe this will be our last day at MDRS. But I’m glad I had the chance to get to know the crewmembers, as well as Survivorman, the people of Mars Society we got to know (yes, even the Capcoms) and, of course, the desert.

Maybe a proper thank you wouldn’t be enough, y’know? But at least I have a story to tell my grandchildren in the future, with some good pancakes.

Look Ahead Plan: Our homes are waiting in our respective countries, so as long as we arrive on time and safely, that’s the only plan we have.

Anomalies in work: Nope.

Weather: Windy and with some rain.

Crew Physical Status: Very well.

EVA: Most of our EVA is explained in the summary. We collected some samples of geological interest. The cameramen did some shots of our activities during this EVA.

Mission Status: Preparing to leave MDRS. We did some improvements in MDRS fixing some issues in the physical facilities.

Sol Activity Summary: We just concluded the cleaning procedures of the entire installation, also cleaning the GreenHab and the laboratory. We developed many different activities organizing and fixing the facilities of MDRS.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow, probably will happen an EVA, but We are just waiting the SurvivorMan to decide about would be interesting to him.

Anomalies in work: Nope.

Weather: 17o C, 62o F.

Crew Physical Status: Fine.

EVA: We planed an EVA today, but not was possible. We planed to go to Lith Canyon, collect samples from the Salt Wash Member, and return to the Hab. Our EVA for today did not take place, since we needed additional time to clean up the Hab before Survivorman arrives.

Mission Status: We developed many kinds of activities today: preparing meals, doing research, practicing exercises and rescuing the ATV.

Sol Activity Summary: Great part of our day was consumed with the rescue of the ATV in the in southeast of Skyline Ridge area. They depart at 12h20m and arrived at 15h30m. Julio and Camila worked in a proposal of guidelines to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) during their times aboard of the MDRS. All the crew members developed their specific research.

Anomalies in work: During the morning part of the crew moves to Skyline Ridge area to rescue the red ATV. Julio broke the simulation between 16h30m-17h30m (1 hour) for 1) to do photos of the full MDRS station from a little distance showing all of the buildings and 2) walking exercise as part of his research related with health and personal sustainability. Julio communicated the external activity to Brandon (EVA Lead).

Summary Title: A day of outdoor activities and fix some issues in MDRS.

Mission Status: Now We have 4 new ATVs. This is very good. We can explore more the region around MDRS. We had technical difficulties with the EVA today

Sol Activity Summary: 4 New ATVs. Doing some improvements, cleaning the MDRS and technical difficulties in the EVA.

Look Ahead Plan: Not was requested EVA.

Anomalies in work: Nope.

Weather: 12o C, 54o F.

Crew Physical Status: Fine.

EVA: The EVA was in Write Moon area. Participated in the EVA, Brandon, Atila and Camila. In the return of the EVA area exploration the Atila ATV was out of gas. Brandon and Camila come back to the MDRS, but In the stations the gasoline tank pumps was also out of gas. Brandon goes to Hanksville to buy gasoline. I (Julio), Brandon and Shannon walked until the area where the ATV was stopped. I refill the tank and tried to turn on, but didn’t work. Probably a battery malfunction. We 4 (Julio, Brandon, Shannon and Atila) returned in safety to the MDRS. The car was let to be recovered at November 15th.

Mission Status: We had discussed how long time and accuracy is necessary for to do pancakes.:) Sometimes, common circumstances, as prepare a meal and let everything fixed, would consume a great time. Less is more! Some activities had been shared between the crew members. Most of us are available to help each other in regular activities.

Sol Activity Summary: Regular operational activities; preparing meals; each crew member developing their researches; Julio Rezende doing physical activities; Tentative of Carmen and Brandon fix the water heater; EVA of Atila and Camila in front of the MDRS.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow, We are planning an EVA with ATV in the region of Yellow Moon. Julio Rezende will be writing the data related with sustainability.

Anomalies in work: Nope.

Weather: 7o C, 45o F

Crew Physical Status: Very well.

EVA: The EVA was close to MDRS. Atila and Camila collected some soil samples to a post-analysis.

Mission Status: Today looks like a really Sunday. The crew is more relaxed but also focused with their duties. We had a good meal today prepared by Camila. Some of us shared some activities at this time, preparing the lunch. We are a team!

Sol Activity Summary: Keeping a High State of Consciousness in MDRS.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow, We are planning an EVA walking to Lith Cannyon.

Anomalies in work: Nope.

Weather: 9o C, 49o F

Crew Physical Status: Very well.

EVA: We did an interesting EVA without ATV. We visited an interesting spot walking to the north direction from the MDRS. Distance: 1,2 km. Was collected soil and rock samples. Was possible to do some beautiful images from the area.

Mission Status: I consider the day very productive and it is difficult to know when something will surprise us. At 6 PM I was surprised with a good discussion related with environmental sustainability about how to save water.

Sol Activity Summary: In the EVA today the 2 ATVs were used.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow, We are planning an EVA using the ATV in the morning to collect soil and plants samples. Julio and Carmen will develop their research in the Hab.

Mission Status: The internet is so low today. The day circles around Globo TV visit. They arrived in MDRS at 8h40m and leaved 13h. We support them in interviews, images and guidelines.

Sol Activity Summary: In the EVA today We walked more, compared to other day and also was so shiny.

Look Ahead Plan: Tomorrow, We are planning an EVA in the morning to study some plants around MDRS to the research of Camila. Julio Rezende will work in his book. Atila and Carmen will develop their research also.

Anomalies in work: Nope.

Weather: 9o C, 49o F

Crew Physical Status: Fine.

EVA: today happened EVA with the ATV hide and walking in the ravines and Mars mountains.

We came in safe and sound, landing went smooth without incident.We had the opportunity to observe the remains of the famous Martian Dinosaurs that dot the landscape. We will have to wait until tomorrow to send out the first report, as we are attending the traditional martian bonfire to start off the field season.

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Field Season #18

About The MDRS

The Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert was established by the Mars Society in 2001 to better educate researchers, students and the general public about how humans can survive on the Red Planet. It is the second Mars analogue habitat after the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station was established in 2000.

Over 200 crews of six-person teams have lived in 1-2 week field visits at MDRS to simulate life on the Martian surface. Researchers and students alike have explored the Mars-like terrain in the area surrounding the station in full “spacesuits”, maintained the station’s systems, grown plants in the GreenHab to support themselves and even recycled their waste water.

Our activities at MDRS are not only about informing the public, but also conducting real research to bring humanity that much closer to the reality of human exploration on the planet Mars.

Annual field seasons at MDRS run approx. October through May. Anybody can apply to be on a crew, and we also need volunteers to help with the project.